Japan Internship Ignites Student’s Leadership Journey

Editor’s Note: Watch a video highlighting the experiences of 2025 Global Career Launch participant Fiona Wyrtzen on the Texas Global YouTube channel. 

 
When Fiona Wyrtzen (B.S. ’25) set out for Japan as part of the Global Career Launch (GCL) International Internship program, she wasn’t just gaining work experience. She was embarking on a transformative journey that would propel her academic and professional trajectory at The University of Texas at Austin and beyond.  

Driven by a passion for environmental science and global sustainability, the Merryman Revell Scholar joined the GCL Faculty-Driven Internship program, led by Professor David Eaton, to deepen her understanding of international climate policy. From May to August 2025, she served as a policy intern at the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) in Hayama, Japan.  

“The fact that I've worked abroad opens a lot of doors, whether it's a general interest for someone or can be directly applied to a role that may need international insight,” Wyrtzen said.   

The Global Career Launch Student Internship program is a credit-eligible opportunity that empowers students to gain real-world professional experience while living abroad. Participants remain enrolled at UT during the program by registering for Independent Study and Research or an alternative class. 

With 2026 internship placements in regions including the Balkans/Eurasia, Brazil, Canada, India, Italy, Mexico and Senegal, the program offers a platform for students to lead learn and grow on a global scale. 

Growing Professionally and Personally   

During her internship at IGES, Wyrtzen conducted research on the intersection of emissions reduction and public health impact, contributing to the development of a tool that helps cities evaluate the integration of health strategies into their climate action plans. 

Living on-site with fellow interns at IGES’ hilltop facility, Wyrtzen immersed herself in a dynamic, multicultural environment, enjoying her exposure to co-workers who hailed from all over the world. In their free time, the students made the most of the panoramic views of Mount Fuji, easy access to the nearby beach and visits to the vibrant cities of Yokohama, Osaka and Tokyo.  

She participated in IGES’ International Forum for Sustainable Development, attending high-level forums, trainings and networking events for international environmental policymakers across Asia and the Pacific. Here she gained invaluable firsthand insight into global sustainability efforts.  

Building with Cultural Context 

Wyrtzen’s undergraduate studies and participation in the UT Climate Leaders Program laid a foundation for her to examine United States environmental policy vis-a-vis the origins of carbon emissions. But her time in Japan built a new structure upon that foundation as she witnessed how cultural values shape climate action — an eye-opening contrast that added depth to her academic studies. 

“In Japan, people take a little bit more personal responsibility with recycling and composting,” Wyrtzen said. “I got a sense of that in the class, but with the internship, I witnessed the differences between these initiatives in the U.S. versus in Japan, and it gave a lot of context to my degree.” 

She acknowledged that the wider cultural perspective complemented her growing professional skills, and she gained a lot of independence by navigating a new country.  

“It is an underrated [capability] to get places by yourself, do things by yourself and thrive in a completely foreign place,” Wyrtzen said.  “I feel like I could go anywhere and be OK and trust myself in my skills.”  

New Landscapes, Further Aspirations 

Now an environmental education intern at the Colorado River Alliance, Wyrtzen teaches elementary and middle school students hands-on, TEKS-aligned science lessons on watersheds, aquifers and water conservation.  

She continues to apply her global insights to issues of local impact, appreciating that the Global Career Launch internship not only sharpened her research and communication skills but also expanded her vision toward a career in international climate policy. 

She reiterated the value of an international education for its exposure to new perspectives, asserting that regardless of a student’s field of study, the GCL experience offers an excellent opportunity for students who otherwise might not have the chance to study abroad.   

Wyrtzen encourages fellow Longhorns to embrace the unknown “Say yes to any opportunity [in the program], even if it doesn't exactly fit your major or exact interest,” she said. “If you feel like it could take you places or you could learn from it, just go for it.” 

Application and Scholarship Information 

Wyrtzen, a Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs and Freeman Asia scholarship recipient, urges students to explore funding resources and pursue their global ambitions. Scholarships and funds for internships abroad are available based on financial need, academic focus, and program location or provider.  

Enrollment is now open for the Summer 2026 GCL Student Internship program, scholarship application is available.  

Visit the  page to learn more and take the first step toward your global future.Global Career Launch page to learn more and take the first step toward your global future.